Refrigeration



1 Nov. 21,1944.

A. D. SIEDLE REFRIGERATION Filed June 25, 1941 N IO 3 vSheets-Sheet 1Fiy] INVENTOR Arnold D-Siedlc Nov. 21, 1944. A; D. SIEDLE REFRIGERATIONFil'ed June 25, 1941 s Sheets-Shet z INVENTOR Arnold D. Siedl SMM 'ATTORNEY 4 Nov. 21, 1944. A; D. SIEDLE REFRIGERATION Filed June 25, 19413 Sheets-Sheet 3 N INVENTOR irnoldfi. Siedle 5, EkaM ATTORNEY PatentedNov. 21, 1944 Arnold 1). Siedle, Cleveland Heights, Ohio, as-' signor toThe Hoover Company, North Canton;

Ohio

Application June 25, 1941, Serial No. 399,630 g 3 :30 Claims. (0162119.5)

This invention relates to the art of refrigeration and more particularlyto a novel threefluid absorption refrigerating machine. Previousabsorption refrigerating machines present an extremely difficult problemof design to maintain the same within the rigid space 'limi-L tationsimposed upon'co'mmerciall'y acceptable kitchen appliances. This arisesfrom the fact that prior machines require the provision of a verticallyextending cooling air flue alongthe.

back wall of the apparatus which consumes an appreciablequantity of thedepth available" for the apparatus. Previous machines are also at aconsiderable disadvantage because of the necesmetal framework which willsupport the evaporator, condenser and rectifier at a height appreciablyabove the height at which the boiler-ab sorber and circulating fan arepositioned. This parts of three-fluid refrigerating machines are veryheavy;

Accordingly, it is an object of the present in-" vention to provideathree-fluid absorption refrigerating apparatus in connection with a,cabinet constructio-nfor housing the same which will totally eliminatethe rear flue and will place all parts of the refrigerating apparatuswithin the projected. area of the cabinet proper.,

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a three-fluidair-cooled absorption refrigerating system in which the entirerefrigerating mechanism excepting, the evaporator and its connectingconduits is located within the confines of the cabinet walls beneaththe. food storage compartment in which the evaporator is. positioned inthe lower part of the storage compartment and is connected to therefrigerating mechanism per se'by' short direct conduit connections. hisa further object of the present invention to provide an absorptionrefrigerating machine of the three-fluid type which is so constructedand arranged that the necessity fora heavy elongated supporting frame istotally eliminated.

machine. so constructed and arranged that this may be positioned beneaththe food" storage com- It is a further object of the present inventionto provide an absorption refrigerating apparatus of the type abovedescribed in which the air withsity of providing a heavy,cumbersomeyrigidzm in the food storage compartment'is circulatedpositively" over the air cooling surfaces of the evaporator. i

. It is still another object of the present invention to provide anabsorption refrigerating apparatus of the three-fluid type arranged forassembly in a domestic refrigerator cabinet which is characterized inthat the same is extremely compact and has a minimumvertical height.

It is a further object of thepresent invention to provide arefrigerating apparatus so constructed and arranged that the entireoperative mechanism may be completely assembled and tested in a lowheight assembly which includes the botframe must be very strong becausethe various" lto provide an absorption refrigerating machine in whichallportions of the operative refrigerat- It is a further object of thepresent invention toprovide av three-fluid absorption refrigeratingvpartment' and may be air cooled without the necessityof providing a fluestructure along one vertically extending wall ofthe cabinet and withoutincreasing the dimensions of the cabinet in any direction taken in ahorizontal plane over those required to enclose the food storage spacein an insulating wall. I

tom portionof the cabinet and which may be assembled with theside, top,front and rear walls of the refrigerating space by lowering theaforesaid walls of'the refrigeratedspace, over the assembledrefrigerating mechanism and securing the two together.

It is a further object of the presentinvention ing mechanism are locatedin the space. below the food storage compartment and in the lower partof said compartment andin which the air cooled condenser for theapparatus is placed within a pocket in the-lower rear portion ofasideWall of the apparatus which pocket is so arranged that no part of theapparatus projects beyond the horizontal dimensions of the cabinetproper.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a three-fluidabsorption refrigerating machine in which all operative parts of theapparatus are located in the lower portion of and below the food storagecompartment which are so constructed and arranged that the samemay beassembled with the cabinet simply bysliding the same into the cabinetconstruction from'the' rear thereof.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent asthe description proceeds when taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings in which- I Figure 1 is a front elevational sectional view ofone form of the invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevational, view partly in section of thearrangement shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a front sectional elevational view of a modified form of theinvention;

; Figure 4 is a side elevationalviewpartly in section of theapparatusshown in Figure 3;"

Figure 5 is a front elevational view partly in section of anothermodification of the invention; and

Figure 6 is a side elevational view partly in section of the apparatusillustrated in Figure 5.

In Figures 1, 3 and 5 certain heat rejecting fins have been omitted toclarify the drawings. These fins have been shown in companion Figures 2,4 and 6, respectively.

Referring now to the drawings in detail and first to Figures 1 and 2thereof, there is disclosed an absorption refrigerating apparatus .of.the

three-fluid type associated with a suitable cabinet structure. Only thelower portion :of .thezcabinet structure has been illustrated-asthepartthereof.

above the break line is simply a conventional :chamber I! which isconnected to the bottom cabinet structure to form a chamber forthestorage of foodstuffs and the like to be refrigerated.

A three-fluid absorption refrigerating machine is associated with thiscabinet construction and comprises a boiler.,B,.,an. analyzer D, atubular inclined air-cooled rectifier R a tubular. inclined air-cooledcondenser C, an evaporator J structure It, a horizontal multi-pass gasheatexchanger G,

an inclined tubular air-cooled absorberA, asolution reservoir S, aliquidheatexchanger L, and a gas circulating. fan .or. pump F which, isdriven by ,an electrical motor Theseelements are suitably interconnectedby various conduits .or the like to be described morefullyhereinaftentoform a plurality of gas and-liquid circuits constituting acomplete ,threeefluid absorption refrigerating.

machine.

The above described apparatus will be charged with a suitablerefrigerantsuch as ammonia, a suitable solvent, therefor; such as Water, and apressure equalizing,- medium which isinert with respect tothe-refrigerant in. the absorbent, preferably a dense gas likenitrogen.

,A-esuitablecontrol mechanism, not shown, will be providedto-regulatethe, operation of the electrical motor M and theheateryHuwhich is arranged to supply heat totheboilerB. A preferredcontrol mechanism is disclosed by; Patent No.

D in ,counterflow.relationshipiand in contact with solution flowing.downwardlythrough the analyzer to the boiler. After passing through theanalyzer theresult-ing refrigerant vapor is conveyed from the analyzerto the. upper portion of :the condenser C by means of the conduit 11which has a finned sectionforming the air-cooled rectifier R.

Therefrigerant vapor supplied to the condenser C is converted into theliquid state therein by heat exchange with cooling air flowing over thefins on the condenser. The resulting liquid refrigerant flows from thebottom. portion of the condenser C .throughaconduit 12. to the bightportion of a U-shapedconduit la forming a twin gas lift elevating pump.Conduit I2 is vented to the gas'heat exchanger G by a vent conduit 19.The lower portion of the conduit 13. is positioned at an elevationbelowthe bottom portion of the condenser "inorder to insure that :thesamewill be flooded with liquid and to provide an adequate I portion ofthe' evaporator E by means of a conduit [8.

The leansolution formed in the boiler by the generation'bf refrigerantvapor is conveyed therefrom to the solutionreservoir S by way of theconduit 20, the liquid heat exchanger L, and

the conduit 2| which includes a finned air-cooled section which servesas a solution pre-cooler. Thereservoir S is vented by means of a conduit.22 to. the suction conduit 23. of the circulating fan. The solution isconveyed from the reservoir s to the upper portion of the tubularabsorber A adjacent its point of connection with the conduit .23 bymeans of aconduit 24 whichconnects to .the bight portion, of a Ueshapedtwin gas lift pump conduit 25. Thebight portion of the conduit 25 ispositioned below the liquid level normally maintained in theboiler-analyzer solution reservoir assembl in order to provide anoperative depth of immersion for the gas lift pump.

Pumping gas is supplied. to the vertically .extending legs of-theU-shaped conduit 25 from the fan discharge conduit [6 by: means of aconduit 26- and an invertedv U-shaped conduit 21 which opens intothelegs of the conduit 25.v wherefore the absorbing solution is :elevatedfrom the reservoir into the absorber by gas lift action. Due to .thefact that the reservoir S is vented through :the conduit'22 to-thesuction side of the circulating fan the entire pressure of the fan isavailable for operatingthe pump. 7

The absorbingsolution which is supplied to the upper end of the tubularabsorberfiows downwardly therethrough by gravity incounterflowrelationship with a mixture of inert gas and refrigerant vapor which issupplied to the lower end of the absorber in'a manner to be describedhereinafter. The solution absorbs refrigerant vapor from the mixture andthe resulting heat of absorption is rejected to cooling air flowingacross the exterior walls of the absorber conduit and the fins mountedthereon.

The enriched solution which collects in the lower part of the absorberis conveyed therefrom to the upper portion of the analyzer D by way ofthe conduit 28, the liquid heat exchanger L, and

the conduit 29, thus completing the absorption solution circuit.

The circulating fan F-receives lean pressure equalizing medium from theabsorber through the conduit 23, places the same under pressure anddischarges the gas thus placed under pressure through the conduit I6into the outer path of the gas heat exchanger G. As shown, the

gas heat exchangeris a multipass baffled type -which provides forconsiderable turbulence in the gas stream flowing therethrough andinsures good heat exchange between the two streams of gas. Aftertraversing the gas heat exchanger the inert gas is conveyed therefrom tothe bottom portion of the evaporator E by way of conduit 3|, gasseparation chamber l1, and conduit l8.

' z The outer, lean gas. passof the gasheat exchanger has an appreciableresistance. This drop in the gas in the lean gas side of the gas heatexchanger.

As illustrated, theevaporato E comprises an I elongated conduit ofrelatively small diameter which is coiled to form three horizontallyextending coil sections which are adapted to underlie andrefrigerate icetray supporting plates and I which are serially connected b-y verticallyextending'riser' conduits. I This evaporator is of the general typedisclosed and claimed in the co- I pendingapplication of Curtis C.Coons, Serial No. 386,394, filed April 2, 1941, now Patent No.

2,328,195, dated August 31; 1 94 This evaporator is of the type in whichthe inert gas and liquid refrigerant are both supplied to the bottomportion thereof and'in which the inert gas circulates through theevaporator at a highvelocity which is sufiicient to circulate the liquidthrough the evaporator and to elevate the same upwardly between thevarious vertical- 1y spaced horizontal sections thereof by thefrictional drag of the inert gasstream flowing over and through theliquid.

After traversing the evaporator'the' liquid is conveyed from the upperportion thereof .by means. of the conduit 33 to a vertically extendingfinned relatively large diametenevaporator coil 34. The liquidrefrigerant flows downwardly through the coil 34 in parallel fiowrelationship with'the inert gas. The inert gas and any un-' evaporatedmaterial are conveyed from the bottom portion of the coil 34 to theinner'pass of the gas heat exchanger G by means of the coninner path ofthe gas heat exchanger and is conveyed therefrom to the bottom portionof the absorber A by means of the conduit 36. The manner in which theinert gas refrigerant vapor mixture passes upwardly through the absorberin counterflow relationship with the absorbing solution has already beenexplained in connec- .tion with the absorbing solution circuit. This fcompletes the inert gas circuit.

40 which includes'an' upper insulated food stor age compartment 4| and alower uninsulated mechanism compartment42. The compartment 4| isprovided with an insulated closure 43 and an insulated lower wall 44'which is removably connected to the vertically extending wall of thechamber 4| in a manner to be more fully described hereinafter'; I Thechamber 42 is formed within a base framework45 which includesthewall 44of the chamber 4|. Thebottom portion of the. base frameduit 35. Theinert gas then passes through the i work is open to allow free flow ofcooling air q thereinto-from the floorlevel as is indicated in Figures 1and 2. The rear and side edges of the insulated plate element 44 arestepped as indicated at 46 to cooperate'with complementary steps 41formed on the lower ends of the side and rear walls of the compartment4|.

v This forms a secure seat for the walls of the 'ment 4|. The wal144maybe suitably secured to the rear and side Walls of the chamber 4| bybolts, clips, stays or the like, not shown.

The boiler assembly, solution reservoir, boiler heater motor fan unit,absorber, condenser and rectifier aresupportedinthe chamber 42 by a boxframe 49, only a portion of which is shown. It Will be understood thatthis box frame will include vertically extending elements to which theabsorber, motor circulator and the like will be suitably secured as bywelding either directly or by welding short'supporting rods to the frameand to the supported element. The boiler absorber liquid heat exchangerassembly is encased in a blanket of insulating material indicated at 5|and simply restsupon the bottom of the frame 49 to which of course ityis suitablysecured as by Welding or the like. l v

It may readily be seen from an inspection of Figures l and 2 theabsorber is positioned in the front portion of the chamber 42,andinclined downwardly and rearwardly therein; The condenser ispositioned at a slightly higher elevation in the upper rear portion'ofthechamber 42 and inclined downwardlyand rearwardly therein. It will beunderstood that the individual condenser and absorber tubes are inclinedwith respect to each other as well as generally inclined downwardly inorder to provide downward liquid flow in each case. Cooling air entersthe bottom portion .of the chamber 42, flows substantially verticallyacross the absorber and condenser and then exits from the chamber 42through the opening 52 in the'rear wall thereof. However, if desired,suitable' openings 'or louvres-may also be, provided in-the side wallsof the chamber 42. The boiler is provided with a waste products ofcombustion flue 53, shown broken, which will be provided with a suitableoutlet to the opening 52 but to one side of the outlet for the condenserand absorber cooling air: in order not to cause interference between thecooling air for theabsorber and condenser and the Waste products ofcombustion. The gas heatexchanger G. as is seen in Figures 1 and 2, isembedded in the insulation of the plate 44. l

The freezingevaporator E is positioned in the lower left hand corner ofthe chamber'M, as is shown in. Figure 1. This evaporator is "encased ina suitable housing 59 which will conceal the coil 32 and the traysupporting shelves. ice trays and the like. The aircooling evaporator 34is positioned along the'right hand wall, as viewed in Figure 1, of

the. compartment 4| in the lower part thereof and-is separated'from theremaining portion of the compartment 4| b'ya vertically extending'plateor partition 5!) which, however, terminates short of'the bottom wall ofthe compartment 4| in order to allow air to enter the channel or fluehousing the coil 34.

Positive air circulation across the air cooling coil and throughthe'food storage compartment is provided by meansof 'a propeller bladefan 54 which is positioned adjacent the panel 44 beneath the coils 34and the front and rearwalls adjacent the right hand in Figure 1. The fan54 about midway between of the compartment 4| wall thereof, as viewed isdriven by a suitable electrical motor"55which is partially embedded inthe lower side oi the panel 44 and is connected to the fan by means of ashaft 56 which passes throughthe panel- 44. Thus, rotation of the fanblades 1 54' circulates air upwardly between the partition 50' and theadjacent side wall of the chamber 4| across the evaporator coil 34 andits associated'fins. This provides positive circulation of the airwithin the compartment 4|.

Electrical energy is supplied to the electrical motor ii by theelectrical conductors 51 which include the thermostat 58 positioned tobe responsi-ve' to the temperature of the air within the chamber 4|. Thethermostat 58 is so constructed and arranged that'the same will energizethe motor" 55 wherr'the': temperature of the air within thecompartment'4| exceeds apredetermined value and will de-en'ergize the motor 55whenithe temperature of the air within said compartment drops below:another predetermined value. Thus'theapparatus is arranged to maintainthe temperature within the food storage space 4 l withindesired limits.

In assembling the apparatus the entire refrigerating mechanism isassembled together with the frame 49, thebase structure 45 and the wallsof the compartment 42 and the panel 44, This assembly will includetheevaporators, their connecting conduits-and the air circulating fan andmotor. This apparatusmay then be tested in this condition. Aftercomplete assembly of this apparatus the cabinet 40 is then swung overthe aforesaid assembly and is lowered into position upon the steppedshoulders formed on the edges of the panel after which the upper cabinetconstruction is suitably secured to the lower mechanism assembly and theapparatus is completed.

This assembly and construction totally eliminates the rear fluecustomarily provided in refrigerating systems of this type wherefo'rewith this construction absorption refrigerating machine cabinets and thelike may be made in standard sizeswhich do not exceed the permissibledepth of kitchen appliances while providing standard depth within thefood storage compartment. The apparatus is much more compact than priorconstructions and results in a very appreciable saving in weight and infabrication costs. Another feature of considerable advantage possessedby the instant-construction resuits from the fact that the apparatusdoes not require the. usual heavy elongated supporting frame whichextends upwardly alongthe back wall of the cabinet in the usual coolingair flue.

It is characteristic of this invention that all the mechanism lieswithin the projected area'of the normal food storage compartment .andits normal surrounding wall, nothing projects there beyond. It is alsocharacteristic of this form of the invention that the condenser ispositioned in the mechanism compartment along with the absorber, boilerand circulator assembly and that the liquid refrigerant is positivelyelevated from the condenser to the bottom portion of the evaporatorthrough which it is upwardly propelled by the inert gas as it isevaporating. This construction greatly promotes a compactness ofassembly of the apparatus and efiiciency of operation thereof.

Referringnow to Figures 3 and 4, there is disclosed a modified form ofthe invention. Certain parts of this form. of the invention areidentical with parts of the form of the invention described inconnection with Figures 1- and 2, and they are therefor'e'given thesame' reference characters primed.

In this form of the'invention, the cabinet 40 is provided with a rearwall 6|) which is provided with arr-inwardly formed recess 6| whichreceives the condenser C' and apart of the vertically extendingrectifier R. Consequently, in this form of the invention the vaporconduit H- extends irom the analyzer D to the upper portion of thecondenser C' which lies within the recess 6|.

The solution circuit in this form of. the invention is identicalin allrespects with the solution circuit described in connection with Figures1 and 2 and need not be further described herein.

The inert gas circuit in this-form of the invention is also identicalwith the inert gas circuit described in connection with Figures 1 and 2,

except that the liquid. refrigerant is supplied, 'in a manner to bedescribed hereinafter, to the evaporator without the operation of a gaslift pump and the evaporator sections are arranged differently in thecabinet though the parts thereof are identical with the parts of theevaporator described in connection with Figures 1 and 2.

The liquid refrigerant is conveyed from the bottom portion of thecondenser to the conduit 3! which conveys inert gas from the gas heatexchanger into the bottom portion of the evaporator E by means of theconduit 62 which includes a downwardly extending U-shaped portion. .Theliquid refrigerant flows through this conduit by gravity but apressure-balancing liquid seal is provided in the condenser side or theU-shaped conduit in order to compensate for the difiference. in pressureexisting between the conduit 3| and the condenser C. The condenser sideof the conduit 62 is subject to the rich gas side of the gas heatexchanger G by means of a vent conduit 63.

The panel '44 of the cabinet 48 is identical with the panel 44 describedin connection with Figures 1 and 2, with the exception that the rearedge thereof terminates short of the rearmost side of the cabinet inorder to receive the inwardly recessed portion of the cabinet wall 60which is set in to form the recess 6 Referring particularly to Figure 3,it will be seen that the evaporator in this form of the invention isarranged somewhat differently from the arrangement disclosed in' Figures1 and 2. In the present form of the invention, the evaporator El ispositioned slightly tothe right, as viewed in Figure 3, of the bottomcentral portion of the chamber 4| and the finned air-cooling portion. ofthe evaporator is positioned in the narrow flue-like space providedbetween the right, as viewed in Figure 3, wall of the cabinet 49 and theadjacent side wall of the evaporator casing, thus tending to form avertically extending fiue'for coolinglairso arranged that the propellerblade fan 54' will project the air upwardly across the coolingevaporator 34'.

This form of the invention is assembled exactly in the manner describedin connection with the form of the invention disclosed in Figures 1 and2. The cabinet 4B is simply lowered downwardly 1 over the bottommechanism assembly until the shoulders 46 and 41 engage after which thetwo parts of the cabinet are suitably secured together.

In this form of the invention the gas lift pump and the separationchamber between the evaporator and condenser are eliminated and theliquid refrigerant is supplied to the bottom pori tion of the evaporatorby gravity. The arrangement of the condenser in a rear pocket slightlydecreases the available space within the food storage compartment but itimproves the cooling efiiciency of the system as the condenser andabsorber are cooled by'entirely separate and distinct air streams inthis form of the invention, also the mechanism compartment underlyingthe storage'chamber is less complex than in the form of the inventiondisclosed in connection with Figures1to3. T

- It is characteristicofthis form of the invention, however, like thatvdescribed in connection with Figures 1 and 2, that the entireapparatusis positioned within. the. horizontal projected area of, thenormal storage space of the refrigerator compartment-wherefore the, needfor a rear air fiue, a heavy frame extending therealong and the like aretotally eliminated from the machine withoutimpairing its efiiciency andwithout materially reducing the storage space in the cabinet. Also theevaporator arrangement of this form of the invention is more compactthan that disclosed in connection with Figures 1 and 2.

Referring now to Figures and 6,'there is disclosed a third form of theinvention. Many parts of this form of the invention are identical withparts heretofore described in detail in connection with Figures land 2and they are therefore given the same reference characters doubleprimed. This'form of the invention differs from the forms of theinvention described heretofore in the arrangement of the evaporator,circulat ing fan and gas heat exchangerwithrespectto the cabinet,.inthemanner in which the mechanism is assembled with the cabinet and in afew details of construction. I q

The absorbing solution circuit is identical in all respects with theform of the invention illustrated in Figure 1. 3 v

Likewise, the inert gas'circuitis identical in all respects with theform of the invention illustrated in connection with Figure 1,- exceptas to the location of certain parts which Willbe described in detailhereinafter.

In .this form of the invention, thecabinet includes a lower Wallstructure 66 which is part of the cabinet structure proper and isprovided of the twin gas lift pump 'II' by means of conduits l5" and I4whereby to..elevate the liquid refrigerant by gas lift action into theseparation chamberr The liquid refrigerant and inert gas passfrom thechamber ll" into: the bottom portion of the evaporator E through.the'conduit I8 through which the liquid refrigerant is propelled by thegas stream. Theliquid refrigerant is propelled upwardly through theevaporator E" by the high velocity gas stream in the manner described inconnection with the evaporators E and E";

'rhe aircooling evaporator 34", in this form of the invention, is.positioned directly behind the evaporator E" and its associated casing,and it Will be noted that the evaporator E is positioned in thebottom'central portion of the food storage compartment 4|". I l Theevaporator 34 '91s provided with the usual vertically extendedfins whichare positioned in a vertically extended airichannel, one .side ofwhichis'formed by therear wall of the'casing of the evaporator E" andthe'other side'of which is formed by a (vertically extending ,pan'el I4which extends from :a' point adjacent the upper ends of the fins to" thebottom thereof. The fins terminate above the bottom wall .of'thecompartmentdl- A second verticallyv extending channel is? providedbetween the're'ar face of .the panel 14 and a panel 18. Theiupper end ofthis channel is closed by a short panel 12 and the bottom end of bothchannels is closed by a panel 13. The panel 18 is spaced from' the innerface of the. closure plate 68 andis'provided with an opening 715 whichis positioned adjacent the central portion of a centrifugal fan 16 whichis driven by an electrical motor H which is embedded in the insulationof the'panel 68.

As may readily be seen from Figure 6, the air in the compartment 4|"passes downwardly across the evaporator conduit 34 and its associatedfins rearwardly under the lower edge of panel l4, upwardly in thechannelbetween panels it and 18, through the opening 15 into the cenwithanopening'fil in its rearv wall whichis designed to be closed byaninsulated panel elederstood that in this form of the invention, the

base, the walls of the mechanism chamber and the base platev are part ofthe cabinet assembly and not, a part of the refrigerating mechanismassembly as in the forms of the invention previously described. v

In this form of the invention also the gas heat exchanger G" ispositioned in, the rear, upper corner of the mechanism compartment 42The liquid refrigerant, discharging from the bottom portion of thecondenserC flows through a conduit 10 into the bight portion of 'aU-shaped gas lift pumping'conduit H, the vertically extending legs ofwhich discharge into-a separation chamber ll. which is positioned in theinsulationof the panel element68; Pumping gas s l ed t he; ertica l x ein e tral" portion of; the centrifugal fan :16 from which it isdischarged upwardly through a passageway formed between the panel '68and the plate '18. Therefore, the air within the foodstorage'compartment M is positively circulated by the circulating fanl6.- It will be understood that the motor T! will be controlled inexactly the same manner as the motor 55, described in connection withFigure 1, is, operated and controlled.

In this form'of the invention all parts to be. operated, as well the gasheat exchanger and rectifier, are positioned beneath the panel 66 of thecompartment 4| and the cooling air discharged through the rear wall ofthe mechanism compartment 42". In assembling theapparatus, the framestructure 49" is assembled with the entire refrigerating mechanism, andwill include,- of.course,flthe,panel 68 and its associated electricalmotor; and it will also include the evaporators and the panels providedto form the air circulation current. When this apparatus is completelyassembled, it will be slid into the cabinet structure from the rearthereof which will position the boiler'assembly, absorber, solutionreservoir, rectifier, gas heat exchanger and cone denser in the lowermechanism'compartment 42 beneath the panel 66, willposition the panel 68in the opening 61 in the rear portion of the I food storage compartment,and will position the evaporator and its associated air directingstructure within the. bottom portion. ofthe food storage compartment.-.

This. .form.of. the. invention, like these described heretofore, insuresthat all portions of the apparatus will bemaintainedwithin the projectedareaof the-normal dimensions. of the food storage compartmentsand.v itcompletely .eliminates the necessity forayertical .flue and fora heavy,spacelconsuming metal supporting frame extending upwardly along. therear. .wall of the cabinet construction; thus. materially reducing waste.material and space consumption.

Thisform of .the invention, however, is. particularly designed.forincorporation incabinets which are to. be..used inenvironmentsinwhich it not feasible. to. assemble. the apparatus by dropping .thecabinet .construction downwardly over the mechanism.

All formscof the present invention greatly vreduce the .space occupiedbythemechanical portions. of absorption;refrigerating. machinescompared; to..prior constructions". The assembly of thee apparatus.with. the cabinet. is materially simplified. In. addition, the :presentinvention provides a noveliarrangement. of; evaporator and condenser.which permits. the condenser to be placedat. an elevationbelow theevaporator and to .be. positionedwithin, the. mechanism compartmentcustomarily providedpin. the cabinet beneath, the. food storage.compartment. This. .is a construction and arrangement which is a radicaldeparture from. .previous. constructions.

While. the .invention has. been illustrated and describediherein. in.considerable. detail, it, is not to. .be. limited. tothe constructional.details. illustrated and,described..., Various changes constrilction,arrangement: and proportionmof .the parts. .may .be made. withoutdeparting .from. the spirit.ofrtheiinvention.or .the scope. of, theappended claims.

dlclaimzgm 1. In: a.,.refrigerator,. a cabinet having. an in.- sulated,food, compar.tment.,.and .a mechanism chamber arranged.for-flowaofcooling air therethrough. andentirely .positionedbelow said.food

compartment, an absorption refrigerating mechanismassociatedavith: saidcabinet including an evaporatoruinlsaid:compartment, an air: cooledcondenser and an :air. cooled ;absorber-in said chamber,.,a;.boilerassembly in. said chamber, meansconnectingsaid absorber and-said boilerassembly forrcirculation. of .absorption solution,- meansconnecting.said absorber and saidevaporator forcirculation:ofxinertgas, and meansfor conducting refrigerant vapor. from said boiler .assemblyto saidcondenser and for conducting refrigerant liquid from said condenser tosaid evaporator. V

2. In a refrigerator, a cabinet having an insulated food compartmentand. an underlying mechanism chamber arranged for flow of cooling airtherethrough, an absorption refrigerating mechanism'associated with saidcabinet includingan evaporator in said compartment, an aircooled-condenser positioned in-a recess formed in a-vertical wallof saidcompartment, an air cooled: absorberand a boilerassembly in saidchamber, means. connecting said absorber and said boiler assembly forcirculation of absorption solution means. connecting said absorber andsaid evaporator for ;.circulationzof inert gas, andmeans forconducting;refrigerant vapor from said-boiler assembly to said condenser. and. forconducting refrigerant. liquid from said condenser to said evaporator.

3.In arefrigerator, a cabinet including structure forming an: insulated.foodcompartment and an underlying mechanism chamber arranged for flowof.cooling-air:.therethrough, an absorption refrigerating. mechanism:associated with saidcabinet including. an evaporator in saidcompartment: an air cooled condenser, an air cooled absorber and aboiler assembly in said chamber, meansconnecting said absorber and saidboiler assembly for circulationof absorption solution, means connectingsaid asborber and said evaporator for circulation of :inert gas, andmeans forconducting refrigerant vapor from said boiler assembly tosaidcondenser and for conducting refrigerantliquid from said condenserto said evaporator, all of said refrigerating mechanism being within theverticalprojection of the horizontal dimensions of saidstructure formingsaidfood compartment.

4. In a refrigeratona cabinet including structure forming an insulatedfood compartment and annnderlying mechanism chamber arranged for flowof. cooling air therethrough, an absorption refrigerating mechanismassociated with said cabinet including an evaporator positioned in thelower part of said compartment and including freezing and air coolingsections, a condenser, an air cooled absorber and a boiler assembly insaid chamben means connecting said absorber and said boiler assembly forcirculation of absorption solution, means connecting said absorber andsaid evaporator for circulation of inert gas, andmeans for conductingrefrigerant vapor from said boiler assembly to saidcondenser and forconducting refrigerant liquid from said condenser to said evaporator,all of said refrigerating mechanism being within the vertical projectionof the horizontal dimensions of said structure forming saidfood-compartment.

5. In a refrigerator, a cabinet including an openbottomed insulatedelement adapted to form the side' andtop walls of an insulatedrefrigerating chamber and a base and mechanism element removablysupporting said first mentioned element and including an insulated-panelarranged to interfit with said-first mentioned element to form the lowerwall thereof, a refrigerating mechanism associated with-said baseelement including an evaporator positioned above said insulated panel,an air cooled condenser positioned within theuhorizontal dimensions ofsaid first mentioned element; an air cooled absorber and a boilerassembly positioned below said insulated panel,-and means connectingsaid evaporator, said absorber, said condenser and said boiler assemblyto form-a refrigerantcircuitgsaid base element being constructed andarranged to support said-refrigerating mechanism and said firstmentioned element.-

6. In a refrigerator, a cabinet including an open bottomed insulatedelementadapted to form the side andtop Wallsof-an'insulatedrefrigerating chamber-and a baseand mechanism element removablysupporting said first mentioned element: and including an insulatedpanel arrangedto interfit with said first mentioned element to form thelowerwallthereof, a refrigerportion, a drive motor for said fanpositioned outsidesaid-refrigerating chamber and partially embedded-in a'wall thereof; an-air cooledcondenser refrigerant liquid from saidcondenser to said positioned within the horizontal dimensions ofsaidfirst mentioned element, an air cooled absorber and a boilerassembly positioned belowsaid insulated paneL-and means connecting saidevaporator, said absorber, said condenser and said boiler assembly toform a refrigerantcircuit, said base element being constructed andarranged to support said refrigerating mechanism and said firstmentioned element.

7. In a refrigerator, a cabinet including an open bottomed insulatedelement adapted to form the side and top walls of an insulatedrefrigerating chamber and a base andmechanism element removablysupporting said first mentioned element and including an insulated panelarranged to interfit with said first mentioned element to form the lowerwall thereof, a refrigerating mechanism associated with said baseelement including an evaporator having freezing and air cooling portionspositioned above said insulated panel, means forming an air passagewayacross said air cooling portion 'of said evaporator, an air circulatingfan arranged to circulate air over said air cooling evaporator portion,a drive motor for said fan positioned outside said refrigerating chamberand partially embedded in a wall thereof, an aircooled condenserpositioned within the horizontal dimen sions of said first mentionedelement, an air cooled absorber and a boiler assemblypositioned belowsaid insulated panel, and means connecting said evaporator, saidabsorber, said condenser and said boiler assembly to form arefrigerantcircuit, said base element being constructed and arranged tosupport said refrigerating mechanism and said first mentioned element.

8. In a refrigerator, a cabinet structurehaving an insulated foodcompartment and a mechanism chamber beneath said food compartment andarranged for flow of cooling air therethrough, an

absorption refrigerating mechanism associated with said cabinetincluding an evaporator in said compartment; an air cooledcondenser'positioned in said cabinet within the vertical projection ofthe horizontal dimensions of said foo'd compartment structure, an aircooled absorber and a boiler assembly arranged in said mechanismcompartment,me ans providing for circulation of inert gas between saidevaporator and said absorber, means providing for circulation ofabsorption solution between said absorber and said boiler assembly,means for conducting refrigerant vapor from said boilerassembly to saidcondenser,

means including a gas lift pump for conveying refrigerant liquid fromsaid condenser to said evaporator, and means for introducing pumping gasintosaid gas lift pump.

'9. In a refrigerator, a cabinet'structure liaving an insulated foodcompartment and a mechanism chamber beneath said food compartment andarranged for flow of cooling air therethrough, an

means includinga gas lift pumpfor conveying evaporator, and means forintroducing pumping gas into said gas lift pump, said evaporator beingso constructed and arranged that the refrigerant liquid is positivelypropelled therethrough by the inert gas;

10. In a refrigerator, a cabinet structure having a lower mechanismcompartment arranged for circulation of cooling air therethrough and aninsulated refrigerating compartment having an evaporator receivingopening in the lower part of a vertical wall thereof above saidmechanism compartment, an insulated closure element for said opening,absorption refrigerating apparatus associated with said cabinetstructure comprising an evaporator positioned adjacent the lower wall ofsaid refrigerating compartment, an air cooled absorber and a boilerassembly in said mechanism 1 compartment connected, for circulation ofabsorption solution, an inclined air cooled condenser in said mechanismcompartment arranged to receive refrigerant vapor from said boilerassembly and to supply refrigerantliquid to said evaporator, and meansproviding" for circulation of inert gas between said evaporator and saidabsorber.

"11. In a refrigerator, a cabinet structure having a lower mechanismcompartment, arranged for circulation of cooling'air therethrough and aninsulated refrigerating compartment having an evaporator receivingopening in the lower part of a vertical wall thereof above saidmechanism compartment, an insulated closure element for said opening,absorption refrigerating apparatus associated with said cabinetstructure comprising an evaporator positioned adjacent the lower wall ofsaid refrigerating compartment, an air cooled absorber and a boilerassembly in said mechanism compartment connected for circulation ofabsorption solution, an inclined air cooled condenser in said mechanismcompartment arranged to receive refrigerant vapor from said boilerassembly and to supply refrigerant liquid to said evaporator, and meansproviding for circulation of inert gas between saidevaporator and saidabsorber includinga gasheat exchange element positioned in saidmechanism compartment. I

12. In a refrigerator, a cabinet structure having a lower mechanismcompartment arranged for circulation of cooling air therethrough and aninsulated refrigerating compartment having an evaporator receivingopening in the lower part 'of a vertical wall, thereof above saidmechanism compartment, aninsulated closure element for said opening, ablower for positively circulating the air in said refrigeratingcompartment, a drive motor for said blower embedded in the insulation ofsaid closure element, absorption refrigerating apparatus associated withsaid cabinet structure comprising an evaporator positioned adjacent thelower wall of said refrigerating compartment, an air cooled absorber andaboiler assembly in said mechanism compartment connected for 'circula-'tion of absorption solution, an inclined air cooled condenser in saidmechanism compartment arranged to receive refrigerant vapor fromsaidboiler assembly and to supply refrigerant liquid to said evaporator, andmeans providing for circulation of inert gas between said evaporator andsaid absorber including a gas heat exchange element positioned in saidmechanism compartment.

13. In a refrigerator, a cabinet structure having a lower mechanismcompartment arranged for circulation of cooling air therethroughand aninsulated refrigerating compartment having an evaporatorreceivingopening in the lower part. of a vertical wall thereofaabovesaid: mechanism compartment, .an insulated" closure element. for saidopening, af rigid frame structure .positioned in said mechanismcompartment, an absorption refrigerating apparatus associated with saidcabi.-. net and supported on said frame structure. comprising an aircooled absorberanda :boiler assem: bly mounted on said frame andconnected; for circulation of absorption solutionyan air'co'oledcondenser supported on said framev andconnected to. receive refrigerant:vapor fromsaid boiler assembl-y, an evaporator. positioned above saidframe in said refrigeratingcompartment, means. connecting saidevaporator and said absorber for: circulation of inert gastherebetween,and'meansfor conveying refrigerant liquidfromisaid Icon;- dense-r tosaid evaporatonsaid frame, said refrig-. crating mechanism andv saidclosure element forming a rigid assembly which iszassembled with saidcabinet by sliding-the said rigid assembly into said 'cabinetestructure.

14. In a refrigerator, a cabinet structure havinga lower mechanismcompartmentv arranged for circulation ofwcooling. air therethrough andan insulated refrigerating compartment. having an evaporator receivingopening'in the lower part of avertical wall thereof above said mechanismcompartment, an insulated 'closure element' for said openingga rigidframe structure positioned in saidmechanism compartment, an absorptionrefrigerating apparatus associated with saidcabinet and supported onsaid frame structure com-' prising an air cooled absorber and a boilerassembly mounted on said frame; and connected for circulation ofabsorptionsolution, an 'aircooled condenser supported on said frame andcnnect+ ed to receive refrigerant vapor from said boiler assembly, anevaporator having a freezing sectionand anrair cooling sectionpositioned rearwardly of said freezing section,said evaporator beingpositioned abovesaid frame in said refrigerating compartment,. meansconnecting said evaporator and said absorber for circulation of inertgas therebetween, means for-conveying refrigerant liquid fromsaidcondenser to said evaporator, means forming a conduitsystem arrangedfor: circulation of air fromv said refrigerating compartment over saidair coolingevaporator and back to said compartment, a blower forcirculating air through said conduit system and a drive motor for saidblower embedded in the insulation 0f said closure element, said frame,said refrigerating mechanism and said closure element forming a rigidassembly which is assembled'with' said cabinet by sliding the :saidrigid assembly into said cabinet structure. 7

15.. Refrigerating apparatus comprising a cabi= net structure havinganinsulated refrigerating chamberand a mechanism compartment entirelyunderlying said refrigerating chamber, a refrig-' crating mechanism ofthe three-fluid absorption type associated with said cabinet structurein-- eluding an evaporator-in said chamber, a boiler in saidcompartment, an air-cooled absorber and an air cooled condenser in saidcompartment,

and means for positively elevating refrigerantliquid from said'condenserupwardly to said evaporator.

l6. Refrigerating apparatus comprising a cabinet structure having aninsulated refrigerating chamber and an underlying mechanism compartment,a refrigerating mechanism. of the three-fluid absorption typeassociatedwith said cabinet structure including an evaporatorin saidchamber, aboiler'insaid compartment, an air cooled absorber and an aircooledcondenser in saidscompartment, a gas'heat exchanger embedded inthe insulation .of' the bottom wall of said compartment, and means forpositively elevating= refrigerant liquid from said condenser upwardly tosaid evaporator.

1'7. Refrigerating apparatus comprising a cabinet structure having an.insulated refrigerating chamber and 'anvunderlying mechanismcompartment, a: refrigerating mechanism vof the three-fluidabsorptiontype associated with said cabinet structure including an evaporator insaid chamber, 'a boiler in said compartment, an air cooled absorber insaid compartment, an air cooled condenser positioned in a recess in awall ofsaid chamber of such dimensions that no part of'said condenser'projects'beyond the normal wall limits of said chamber, and means forconveying refrigerant liquid by gravity from said condenser tosaid'evaporator, said recess being so constructed and arranged thatcooling air may flow therethrough acrosssaid condenser and saidmechanism compartment being constructed and arranged for circulation ofcooling air in contact with said absorber.

18. Refrigerating apparatus comprising. a cabinet structure having aninsulated refrigerating chamber and a mechanism compartment below andwithin the vertical projection of the horizontal dimensions of saidrefrigerating chamber, a refrigerating mechanism of the three-fluidabsorption type associated withsaid cabinet structure including anevaporator in said chamber, a boiler in the bottompart ofsaidcompartment, a tubular finned multi-passabsorber conduitpositioned-in the 'upper front portion'of said compartment and inclinedgenerally downwardly and rearwardlyto provide for gravity flow ofsolution therethrough, a tubular finned multi-pass condenser conduitpositioned inthe upper rear portion of said mechanismzcompartment andinclined-generally downwardly. and rearwardly to provide for gravity nowofrefrigerant liquid to thelower part thereof, and means connectingsaidboiler, said'condenser, said evaporator and said absorber forcirculation of refrigerant, said cabinetstructure being arranged toprovide for flow of-cooling air-into the lower part :of said mechanismcompartment. and fordischarge to theysurroundingatmosphere of airheatedby said absorber and said condenser.

.19. Refrigerating apparatus comprising a cabinet-structure having aninsulated refrigerating chamber and an underlying mechanism compartment,a refrigerating mechanism-of thev threefluid absorption type associated:with said cabinetwstructure including anevaporator in said ch'amben'aboilerin the-bottom part of said compartment,. a .-tubular vfinnedmulti-pass absorber conduitwpositioned in the upper front portion ofsaidcompartment and inclined generally downwardlyi and rearwardly toprovide for gravity flow of solution therethrough, a tubular finnedmultipass;condenserconduit positionedin the upper.

' rear portion of 'said mechanism compartment and inclined. generallydownwardly' and :rearwardly to provide for-gravity flowof'refrigerantliquid to the lower part thereon-1a power driven gas circulator assemblypositioned in said com-.

-lower'partof said mechanism compartment and for discharge to thesurrounding atmosphereof air heated by said absorber and said condenser,

. and said gas circulator assembly being positioned said out of thepathof flow of air traversing condenser and saidabsorber.

20. In a refrigerator, structure forming an insulated food'preservingcompartment, structure forming a mechanism chamber underlying andsupporting said compartment, a three-fluid re.-

frigeratingapparatus associated with said compartment and said chamberComprising an evaporator insaid compartment, a tubular air cooledabsorber in said chamber, a'tubular air cooled condenser, a generatorinsaid chamber, means providing for circulation of inert gas betweensaid absorber andsaid evaporator including a power driven device forelevating the pressurezof the inert gas to cause the gas to circulate,means pro,- viding for circulation of absorption solutionbetween saidgenerator and said absorber including means operated by inert gas at theelevated pressure for elevating absorption solution between thegenerator and the absorber, means for conducting refrigerant vaporevolved in said generator to said condenser, and means forconductinrefrigerant liquid from said condenser to said evaporator, saidapparatus being characterized by the fact that all portions thereof liewithinthe'horizontal dimensions of said structure forming saidcompartment andbelow the upper wall thereof.

21. In a refrigerator, structure forming an insulated food preservingcompartment, structure forming a mechanism chamber underlying andsupporting said compartment, a three-fluid refrigerating apparatusassociated with said compartment and said chamber comprising anevaporator in said compartment, a tubular air cooled absorber in saidchamber, a tubular air cooled condenser, a generator in said chamber,means for conducting refrigerant vapor from said gene'rator to saidcondenser, means for conducting refrigerant liquid from said condenserto the low-' er portion of said evaporator, means providin forcirculation of inert gas between said absorber and said evaporatorincluding a power driven device for imparting suiiicient pressure andvelocity to the inert gas to cause the inert gas to circulaterefrigerant liquid upwardly through said evaporator, and means providingfor circulation of absorption solutionbetween said generator and saidabsorber including means operated by inert gas under pressure forelevating absorption solution between the generator and the absorber,said apparatus being characterized by the fact that all portions thereoflie within the horizontal dimensions of said structure forming saidcompartment and below the upper wall thereof.

22. In a refrigerator, a cabinet structure including an insulated foodcompartment and a I 23. r In a refrigerator, a cabinet structureincluding an insulated food compartment and a mechanism chamberarranged-for flow or cooling air therethrough, an absorptionrefrigerating appa-' ratus associated with said cabinet structureincluding an evaporator'in the lower part of said compartment, an aircooled absorber andan air cooled condenser in said chamber below-saidfood compartment, a generator insaid chamber, means providing forcirculation of inert gas between said absorber and said evaporator,means providing for circulation of absorption solution between saidtween said-absorber and said. evaporator, means providing for.circulation-of absorption solution between said absorber and saidgenerator means for conveying refrigerant vapor from saidgenerator tosaid condenser, means for conveying refrigerant liquid upwardly fromsaid condenser to I said evaporator, and an air circulator arranged tocirculate air in said food compartment over said evaporator.

25. In a refrigerator, a cabinet structure including an insulated foodcompartmentand a mechanism chamber arranged for flow of cooling airtherethrough, an absorption refrigerating apparatus associated with saidcabinet structure including an evaporator in :the lower part of saidcompartment, anaircooled absorberand an air cooled condenser in saidchamber below said food compartment, a generator in said chamber, meansproviding for circulation of inert gas between said absorber and saidevaporator, means providing for circulation of absorption solutionbetween said absorber and said generator, means for conveyingrefrigerant Vapor from said genmechanism chamber arranged for flowofcooling air therethrough, an absorption refrigerating apparatusassociated with said cabinet structure including an evaporator in saidcompartment, an air cooled absorber and an air-cooled condenser in saidchamber below said food compartment, a generator in said chamber, meansproviding for circulation of inert gas between saidabsorber and saidevaporator, nieans providing for circulation of absorption solutionbetween said absorber and said generator, means for conveyingrefrigerant vapor from said generator to said condenser, and means forconveying refrigerant liquid upwardly from-said condenser to saidevaporator.

erator to said condenser, means for conveying refrigerant liquidupwardly from said condenser to said evaporator, an air circulatorarranged to circulate air in said food compartment over said evaporator,and electrical means for operating said air circulator arranged out ofcontact with the air in said food compartment.

26. In a refrigerator, a cabinet structure including an insulated foodcompartment and a mechanism chamber arranged for flow of cooling airtherethrough, an absorption refrigerating apparatus associated with saidcabinet structure including an evaporator in said compartment, an

. air cooled absorber in said mechanism chamber,

an air cooled condenser positioned below the upper wall of said cabinetstructure and within the vertical projection of the horizontaldimensions of said insulated food compartment, a generator in saidchamber, means providing for circulation of inert gas between saidabsorber and said evaporator, means providing for circulation ofabsorption solution between said absorber and said generator, means forconveying refrigerant vapor from said generator to said condenser, meansfor conveying refrigerant liquid from said condenser to said evaporator.

air cooled heat rejecting :element positioned in said baseelement'underlying said panel, and means connecting said evaporator,said refrigerant vapor producing means and said heatrejecting element incircuit, said base element-being constructed and arranged to supportsaid refrigerating mechanism and said firstmenticned element.

28. In a refrigerator; a cabinet structure comprising an insulatedrefrigerating chamber and a mechanism chamber underlying saidrefri'gerating chamber, said mechanismchamber being open at the rear ofsaid cabinet structure for egress of cooling air and at the bottomthereof for entrance of cooling air; an absorption refrigeratingmechanism including a condenser, a generator, an absorber and anevaporator; means connecting saidcondenser, generator, absorber andevaporator in circuit; means supporting said generator, absorber andcondenser in said mechanism chamberbeneath said refrigerating chamher,said evaporator being positioned in said refrigerating chamber, saidabsorber comprising a tubular finned conduit arranged in the forwardportion of said mechanism chamber, means to lift refrigerant liquid fromsaid condenser to said evaporator, and said condenser comprising atubular finned conduit positioned in said mechanism chamber rearwardlyof said absorber.

29. In a refrigerator; a cabinet structure comprising .an insulatedrefrigerating chamber and a mechanism chamber underlying saidrefrigerating chamber, saidmechanism chamber being open at the rear ofsaid cabinet structure for egress of cooling air and at the bottomthereof for entrance of cooling air; an absorption refrigeratingmechanism including a condenser, a generator, an absorber and anevaporator, means supporting said generator, absorber and condenser insaid mechanism chamber beneath said refrigerating chamber, saidevaporator being positioned in said refrigerating chamber above saidabsorber and said condenser; means connecting said condenser, generator,absorber and evaporator in circuit including means for elevatingrefrigerant liquid from said condenser to said evaporator; said absorbercomprising a tubular finned conduit arranged in the forward portion ofsaid mechanism chamber, said condenser comprising a tubular finnedconduit positioned in said mechanism chamber rearwardly of saidabsorber, and said generator being positioned in said mechanism chamberat the rear portion thereof.

30. In a refrigerator; a cabinet structure including an insulatedrefrigerating compartment and a mechanism compartment, an absorptionrefrigerating apparatus associated with said cabinet structurecomprising an evaporator in said refrigerating compartment, an aircooled absorber and an air cooled condenser in said mechanism chamber, agenerator in said mechanism chamber, means connecting said generator andsaid absorber for circulation of absorption solution therebetween, meansconnecting said evaporator and said absorbr for circulation of inert gastherebetween, means for conveying refrigerant vapor from said generatorto said condenser, and means for lifting refrigerant liquid upwardlyfrom said condenser to said evaporator, said condenser and said absorberbeing located adjacent the bottom portion of said cabinet structure.

ARNOLD D. SIEDLE.

